Kotegaeshi - Shomenuchi - Standing

Aspect	Description
Japanese	小手返し正面打ち立ち技
Translation	Wrist-return throw from overhead strike, standing
Classification	Nage-waza (Throwing techniques) > Kotegaeshi series > Striking attack variations

Overview

Shomenuchi Kotegaeshi is kotegaeshi applied from an overhead strike to the forehead. When the opponent strikes downward with their right hand, you deflect and grab their striking hand, turn it outward, and execute kotegaeshi. This demonstrates how the same kotegaeshi principle applies to both grabs and strikes, with the entry being the key difference.

This technique teaches deflection timing and immediate transition to wrist control.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Source: Takemusu Aikido Volume 3, Pages 20-23

[1] Initial Strike

Your partner executes a shomenuchi strike with her right hand

[2] Step and Deflect

Step forward with your left foot to the outside of your partner
Deflect her striking hand with your left hand

Key action: Step creates angle, deflection protects

[3] Grab and Control

Grab your partner's right hand with your right hand
Your right hand grabs from above with four fingers on the back of her hand and your thumb on her palm
Bring your left hand to her right elbow and push it in the direction of her attack

Two-handed control:

Right hand controls wrist
Left hand controls elbow

[4] Step Behind and Rotate

Step deeply behind your partner with your right foot to her right rear corner
Turn your partner's hand outward (external wrist rotation)
Raise both hands above your forehead

Dead angle position: Behind and controlling

[5] [6] Cut Down and Throw

Cut down with both hands as though cutting with a sword
Step forward with your left foot
Throw your partner backward

Kuden (口伝) - Oral Teachings

Step to Outside, Not Inside

The step must be to the outside:

Outside = safe from strike
Inside = vulnerable
Outside creates proper angle
Natural body position

Why outside?:

In line with deflection
Protects your center
Sets up dead angle entry
Mirrors sword principle

Push Elbow in Attack Direction

From Volume 3 (Page 20):

"Bring your left hand to her right elbow and push it in the direction of her attack."

Critical instruction:

Push elbow forward
In direction they're already moving
Not against their motion
Uses their commitment

Why this works:

Extends their structure
Prevents them from pulling back
Creates kuzushi
Makes wrist rotation easy

Same Kotegaeshi Principle

Once you have the hand:

Same four fingers/thumb grip
Same outward rotation
Same dead angle entry
Same cutting throw

The difference is only in the entry:

Katatedori: grab already established
Shomenuchi: must deflect and capture
Principle identical after capture

Riai (理合) - Sword Connection

Deflecting the Sword Strike

The shomenuchi deflection represents:

Deflecting overhead sword cut (kesa-giri)
Using left hand like sword
Parrying to outside
Protecting center line

Stepping Offline

In sword combat:

Never receive cut on center line
Step to outside
Let blade pass
Counter from side

This principle applied to empty hand.

Controlling the Sword Arm

After deflecting sword:

Grab sword hand/wrist
Control elbow to prevent pull-back
Turn sword from their grip
Same principle as kotegaeshi

The technique is literally sword disarming.

Cutting After Capturing

Once you have their sword hand:

Rotate to remove weapon
Cut down through them
Dead angle prevents counter
Complete technique

Technical Details

The Incoming Strike

Photo ❶:

Partner strikes shomenuchi
Right hand overhead
Aiming for forehead
Full commitment

Stepping and Deflecting

Photo ❷:

Left foot steps forward to outside
Left hand deflects strike
Body angle safe from strike
Creates opening

Timing critical:

Not too early (miss the strike)
Not too late (get hit)
As strike descends
Blend with motion

The Grab

Photo ❸:

Right hand grabs their right hand
Four fingers on back
Thumb on palm
Same grip as basic katatedori
Left hand to elbow
Push elbow forward

Two points of control:

Wrist and elbow
Prevents escape
Creates extension
Sets up rotation

Pushing Elbow Forward

Photo ❸:

Left hand on right elbow
Push in direction of attack
Forward and down
Extends their arm
Breaks their structure

Why forward?:

They're already committed that way
Doesn't fight their energy
Creates overextension
Natural kuzushi

Stepping Behind

Photo ❹:

Right foot steps deep behind
To their right rear corner
Turn hand outward
Raise both hands above forehead

Same as basic:

Dead angle position
External rotation
High hands
All identical to katatedori

The Throw

Photo ❺❻:

Cut down as though cutting with sword
Left foot steps through
They fall backward
Complete kotegaeshi

Common Mistakes

1. Stepping to Inside

Error: Stepping to inside of strike
Correction: Step to outside
Danger: Inside puts you in line with second strike
Position: Outside is safe angle

2. Blocking Instead of Deflecting

Error: Trying to stop strike with force
Correction: Deflect to side, blend with motion
Principle: Use their energy, don't oppose
Quality: Deflection is light, block is heavy

3. Not Pushing Elbow Forward

Error: Just grabbing wrist without elbow control
Correction: "Push elbow in direction of attack"
Effect: Without this, they can pull back
Necessity: Elbow push creates kuzushi

4. Pushing Elbow Backward

Error: Trying to push elbow back against their motion
Correction: Forward, in direction they're moving
Understanding: Use their commitment
Power: Their own force works against them

5. Wrong Wrist Grip

Error: Not using four fingers/thumb grip
Correction: Same grip as basic katatedori
Essential: Grip determines control
Consistency: All kotegaeshi use same grip

6. Not Reaching Dead Angle

Error: Staying beside them
Correction: Step deeply behind to right rear corner
Position: Must reach dead angle
Safety: Anywhere else they can counter

7. Low Hands

Error: Not raising hands above forehead
Correction: "Above your forehead"
Power: Height creates cutting power
Universal: Same for all kotegaeshi

8. Pushing Instead of Cutting

Error: Pushing down on their hand
Correction: Cut down "as though cutting with sword"
Quality: Cutting vs pushing feels different
Principle: Sword mechanics, not wrestling

Training Progression

Kotai (固体 - Solid Practice)

Partner strikes deliberately, clearly
Practice deflection timing
Build two-handed control (wrist and elbow)
Develop forward elbow push
Execute clear stages

Jutai (柔体 - Soft Practice)

Partner strikes with more speed
Deflection and grab become smoother
Coordinate multiple actions
Build natural flow
Maintain control throughout

Ryutai (流体 - Flowing Practice)

Full-speed strikes
Continuous deflection to throw
No pauses
Natural response
Integrated motion

Kitai (気体 - Ki/Spirit Practice)

Light deflection, full effect
Minimal motion
Natural timing
Advanced expression

Same Entry, Different Conclusions

From shomenuchi deflection:

Ikkyo - First control
Iriminage - Entering throw
Kotegaeshi - This technique
Shihonage - Four-direction throw

All share the deflection entry.

Other Kotegaeshi

Kotegaeshi - Katatedori - Basic foundation
Kotegaeshi
Kotegaeshi - Tsuki
Kotegaeshi - Morotedori

All share kotegaeshi principle, different entries.

Shomenuchi Connection

All shomenuchi techniques teach deflection
Timing and angle critical
Step to outside universal
Different responses available

Sources

Primary Sources

Takemusu Aikido Volume 3 (Pages 20-23): Complete shomenuchi kotegaeshi with emphasis on elbow control

Notes

The Deflection Entry

Shomenuchi variations teach:

Timing against strikes
Deflection vs blocking
Moving offline
Immediate counter

These skills essential for:

All striking attacks
Sword defense
Real timing
Martial application

Why Push Elbow Forward?

The elbow push is brilliant:

Uses their attacking momentum
Doesn't fight their strength
Extends their structure
Makes wrist turn easy

Without it:

They can pull back
Wrist turn difficult
Technique fails
Must use force

With it:

They're overextended
Can't resist
Natural flow
Effortless

Two-Handed Control Principle

Controlling two points (wrist and elbow):

More control than one point
Prevents escape
Creates structure break
Universal principle

Appears in many techniques:

Various ikkyo, nikkyo
Some shihonage
Effective principle

Shomenuchi as Sword Cut

Treating shomenuchi as sword:

Changes quality of practice
More serious deflection
Real timing required
Martial mindset

If just "going through motions":

Timing sloppy
Deflection weak
Technique hollow
Missing point

If treating as real sword:

Every detail matters
Timing critical
Life-or-death focus
Technique alive

From Deflection to Control

The transition is key:

Deflect
Immediately capture
Control two points
Execute technique

Must be continuous:

No gap after deflection
Immediate capture
Smooth flow
One motion

If gap exists:

They can recover
Second strike possible
Technique fails
Timing lost

Outside vs Inside

Why always step outside?

Outside:

Safe from strike
Safe from follow-up
Good angle for counter
Protects center

Inside:

Vulnerable position
Second strike easy
Poor angle
Exposes center

This is universal:

All striking deflections
Sword defense
Empty hand
Fundamental principle

Same Kotegaeshi After Entry